New MFi Lifetime Achievement Award

Posted on February 17, 2015 | Comments Off on New MFi Lifetime Achievement Award

This year there was one volunteer recognition nomination, that while made timely, was not received until after the deadline and selections.  To correct for that, the Medfield Foundation has decided that it will include the couple who were together jointly nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award in that errant nomination.

Therefore this year the MFi will jointly honor Mike and Caroline Standley, along with the previously announced Jeanne Bastanier Sullivan, together as the three honorees this year for the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Awards for volunteer services in and to the Town of Medfield.

Mike and Caroline Standley

Primarily for over 60 years of active citizenship to protect the town’s historic sites and open spaces, as well as serving on the following boards:  Library Board, Planning Board, Historical Commission, Historical Society, Historic District Commission, Master Plan Implementation Committee, Medfield State Hospital Reuse Committee, Medfield State Hospital Preservation Committee, Town Hall Renovation Committee, Conservation Commission, Open Space Planning Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Committee to Evaluate Senior Tax Work Off Program, and Zoning Board of Appeals.

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Posted in Medfield Foundation, Volunteers

Mailbox knock downs

Posted on February 17, 2015 | 2 comments

The issue of whether the town should pay for mailboxes our DPW plows knock down is probably a current concern of several residents.  One resident did recently email me about it, and since other residents may be wondering these days during this endless snow February about the town policy on the matter, I thought I should post my email response to that resident.

I did get your email about your mailbox being knocked down by a town plow. Please know that I rarely look at my Gmail account, and that it is better to get to me via Osler.Peterson@OslerPeterson.com.

First, let me apologize if it was in fact a town DPW truck that knocked down your mailbox.

Second, let me explain that the town used to pay for mailboxes that got knocked down, then first limited the amount paid from memory to about $50, and then even later about ten years ago the Board of Selectmen opted not to pay at all, on advice of the town administration, because:

  1. A survey of other towns showed that most did not pay
  2. the prices varied so much, and some were expensive
  3. liability was never certain (it could have been done by the driveway plow people), and
  4. the mailboxes are generally placed on the town’s property (the public way).

The Board of Selectmen just made a policy decision about how to spend our tax money. If the residents of the town want the town to pay for those mailboxes, they are free to have it done. Anyone can submit an annual town meeting (ATM) warrant article asking to have it done.

2 Comments

Posted in Budgets, DPW, Select Board matters

Gas company on safety

Posted on February 13, 2015 | Comments Off on Gas company on safety

This to the MFD Chief from the gas company –

Safety Concerns from Columbia Gas of Massachusetts

Serious Snow and Ice Safety Risks for Natural Gas Meters

Westborough, MA – Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is concerned with recent incidents involving large icicles and snow accumulation falling from rooftops onto natural gas meters. This can cause a rupture in the gas line and result in a serious gas leak. Also, snow and ice covered natural gas meters, and snow removing equipment striking gas meters has caused the release of natural gas.

 

With significant snowfall and frigid temperatures in the forecast, it is extremely important to make sure that your natural gas meter, and the exhaust vents for your heating equipment and other appliances are free of snow and ice. Gas equipment requires adequate airflow for safe combustion and proper venting of appliances to prevent a dangerous carbon monoxide situation.

 

The build-up of ice and snow around or over a natural gas meter poses a serious safety risk. Ice and snow falling from the eaves and gutters above your gas meter can damage the meter or service connections, potentially resulting in a gas leak. Please use a broom instead of a shovel to clear ice and snow from your gas meter. Don’t kick or hit the gas meter to break away snow and ice. Don’t shovel snow up against your meter. Be careful when using a snow blower or snow plow near your meter. Where possible, have a clear path to your gas meter in the event a technician or emergency responder should require access.

 

If your meter is encased in ice which you cannot remove, contact Columbia Gas for assistance at 1-800-677-5052. If you think there’s a problem with the gas piping or equipment, or if you smell gas, call Columbia’s 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-525-8222.

 

“The safety and comfort of our customers and communities is our number one priority,” said Steve Bryant, President of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. “We ask that you be diligent in removing snow and ice from above and around your natural gas meter, keep your appliance vents clear and your gas meter accessible. With record snowfall over the past month and continuing in the next couple days, this winter season continues to be a challenge for us all.”

 

For more safety tips and information visit http://www.ColumbiaGasMA.com

 

Subject: Urgent Safety Message to CMA Customers
From: tstefanowicz@nisource.com
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 2015 13:19:25 -0600

Dear Chief,

Due to the continuing forecast of frigid temperatures and snow accumulation, we have sent out the attached press release to our local media asking that they communicate this important message cautioning customers about large icicles and snow accumulation falling from rooftops onto natural gas meters.  We are also urging customer to remove ice and snow from their natural gas meters and gas appliance vents.

We have also cautioned customers to not use shovels to clear ice and snow from the natural gas meters.  We have also asked that they keep a clear, accessible path to the gas meter in the event a technician or emergency responder should require access.

Wherever possible we ask that you share this communication.  If you have the capabilities of posting this to your website, social media, or reverse 911 communications we would be most appreciative in assisting us in reaching as many customers as possible.

We have also sent an email blast to over 127,360 customers to whom we have email addresses.

We thank you for your support in our efforts to alert our customers to the safety risks associated with the accumulation of snow and ice around natural gas meters and gas appliance vents.

Andrea M. Luppi                                                                Don DiNunno
Manager Communications & Community Relations                                Manager Communications & Community Relations
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts                                                Columbia Gas of Massachusetts
2025 Roosevelt Avenue                                                                995 Belmont Avenue
Springfield, MA 01104                                                                Brockton, MA 02301
Office:  413-784-2145                                                                Office:  508-580-0100 ext. 1311
Cell:  413-530-0907                                                                Cell:  508-864-7099
Fax: 413-731-7788
www.columbiagasma.com

Tracy Stefanowicz
External Affairs Specialist
External Communications
(413)784-2130 – Work
(413)276-5822 – Cell
tstefanowicz@nisource.com

 

 

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Posted in Safety, Utilities

MEMA on coming storm

Posted on February 13, 2015 | Comments Off on MEMA on coming storm

Mike Sullivan forwarded this email from MEMA about the Saturday to Sunday storm.  Interestingly, if you page down far enough you see to which towns the equipment from NY, PA, NJ, and other states has been deployed (none to Medfield that I saw) –

FYI. Mike

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: MEMA State Control (CDA)
Date: Fri, Feb 13, 2015 at 12:27 PM
Subject: Situational Awareness Statement #18 – Winter Storm Recovery Operations and Weekend Snowstorm
To: “Schwartz, Kurt (EPS)” “Packard, Christine (CDA)”
Cc: CDA-DL – Dispatchers <

DATE: February 13th, 2015

TIME: 12:00 PM

SUBJECT: Winter Storm Recovery Operations and Weekend Snowstorm

 

Forecast Summary from the National Weather Service

Saturday into Saturday evening, low pressure out of the Great Lakes will sweep southeast of New England during which time light to moderate snow will spread across the region.

 

Saturday night into Sunday, low pressure will strengthen quickly into the Gulf of Maine the proximity of which will present the potential for blizzard conditions across east/southeast-coastal New England with snowfall amounts in excess of a foot along with strong to damaging winds possibly up to hurricane force. Combination of increasing winds and the Sunday morning high tide presents the threat of minor to moderate coastal flooding.

 

Possible hazards associated with this storm include; poor travel conditions, power outages, strong wind gusts, extreme cold, minor to moderate coastal flooding, and beach erosion.

 

Sunday night into Monday morning some of the coldest air of the season arrives delivering the potential of high temperatures on Monday barely breaking the teens.

 

Updated highlights for the weekend storm include:

  • Potential for a significant snowfall of over a foot with blizzard conditions across east/southeast-coastal New England.
  • Significant impacts to travel.
  • Northerly winds will be gusting 35 to 45 mph Sunday into Sunday night with 50+ gusts possible for Cape / Islands.
  • Snow will be fluffy and combined with winds expect blowing and drifting of snow.
  • Expect visibilities of a quarter mile or less, especially for east/southeast-coastal New England
  • Tides above 10 feet in Boston Sunday morning; surge likely; threat to north-facing beaches (i.e., Cape Cod Bay).

 

Coastal Flooding Highlights:

  • Salisbury to Cape Ann (including Plum Island)

o   Most at risk for moderate coastal flooding and beach erosion

  • Cape Cod Bay Shoreline (Sandwich to Dennis)

o   Significant beach erosion also a concern with minor coastal flooding

  • South Shore (including Hull, Scituate, Marshfield)

o   Risk of some overwash, especially in susceptible areas that were hard hit in the previous blizzard

  • Storm Surge

o   Expecting a 2.0 to 2.5 foot storm surge

o   Highest from Salisbury to Cape Ann

o   Waves approaching 20 feet just offshore for the Sunday morning high tide

 

Storm Total Snow Map

 

 

Maximum Wind Gusts (Midday Sunday Map):

 

 

Coastal Flooding Headlines Map:

 

 

Monday Morning Lows Map:

 

 

Current Watches, Warnings and Advisories:

 

  • Blizzard Watch for east coastal Massachusetts from Saturday evening to Sunday evening.
  • Winter Storm Watch for central and eastern Massachusetts from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening.
  • Wind Chill Advisory for central and western Massachusetts until 1 PM.
  • Coastal Flood Watch for east coastal Massachusetts, including Nantucket, from late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon.

 

 

MEMA Operations

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is at Level 2 (Partial Activation) with MEMA staff and state agencies including MassDOT, DCR, DEP, MANG, and MSP. The SEOC continues to provide situational awareness and coordinate assistance to ongoing local and regional snow removal and cleanup efforts.

 

The MEMA Regional offices in Tewksbury, Bridgewater, and Agawam are open and staffed, and are working to fulfill local requests for assistance.

 

Mutual Aid via the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)

Pursuant to a request from MEMA through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, the states of Maine, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont have agreed to send a total of 28 front end loaders, 76 dump trucks, 14 backhoes, and 36 skid-steer loaders, together with operators and maintenance personnel, to support ongoing snow removal operations.

 

MEMA secured an agreement with New York and deployed 2 snow melters from the City of New York to Boston via EMAC.

 

Pennsylvania is sending 10 personnel to support SEOC operations.

 

MEMA has stood up a State Staging Area (SSA) on the MassPort owned portion of Hanscom Air Force Base, with overflow capacity at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, to receive and support all out-of-state equipment and personnel.  The SSA will operate on a 24/7 basis. Out-of-state resources began arriving at the SSA Tuesday and will continue to arrive through today. Heavy equipment and personnel that arrived yesterday from Pennsylvania and Vermont will deploy today to cities and towns to assist in snow removal operations. Crews and equipment that arrive at the SSA today from Maine and Pennsylvania will deploy tomorrow to cities and towns.

 

Resources that arrived in Worcester Tuesday and are staged/working in Worcester:

  • 3 front end loaders and 4 dump trucks from the NY State Thruway

 

Resources that have arrived at the SSA through last night:

  • 15 front end loaders, 14 dump trucks, and 18 skid-steer loaders from NY DOT
  • 6 front end loaders, 10 dump trucks, and 10 skid-steer loaders from NJ DOT
  • 2  5-yard Loaders, 2 Back Hoe Loaders, 2 Skid steers, 6  20-ton Dump trucks, 6  10-ton Dump trucks from VT National Guard
  • 15 dump trucks and 2 backhoes from PA DOT

 

Resources that arrived yesterday and are staged/working in Boston:

  • 2 snow melters from New York City

 

Resources scheduled to arrive at the SEOC today:

  • 10 personnel from Pennsylvania Emergency Management to support SEOC operations

 

Resources scheduled to arrive at the SSA today:

  • 5 dump trucks and 5 backhoes from PA Turnpike
  • 6 Skid Steer Loaders, 13  10-Ton Dumps, 3  20-Ton Dumps, 3 Back Hoe Loaders, 1  5-Yard Loader and 1  2.5-Yard Loaders from ME National Guard

Resource Requests

Since Monday, February 9, MEMA has received a total of 258 requests for assistance.

 

As of 11 AM, MEMA is coordinating a total of 158 active resource requests from 103 communities for snow removal assistance, including heavy equipment, snow melters, digging out fire hydrants and storm drains, and deliveries of salt.

 

The following heavy equipment missions were in progress or deployed as of 11:00 AM:

 

Please note: All heavy equipment is deployed with operators.

 

  • Acton: MassDOT: 2 Front End Loaders and 2 Dump Trucks
  • Amesbury: DCR: 1 Dump Truck
  • Arlington: MassDOT: 1 Dump Truck, 1 Skid Steer and 1 Front End Loader
  • Athol: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader, 3 Dump Trucks
  • Auburn: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader, 1 Dump Truck
  • Berlin: DCR: 1 Dump Truck
  • Boston: PA DOT: 1 Backhoe; MANG: 4 skid steers; CT Contractor deployed 5 Teams (1 Front End Loader, 1 Bobcat, 1 Backhoe, 3 Dump Trucks per team)
  • Boylston: PA DOT: 2 dump trucks
  • Brockton: VT NG: 6 Dump Trucks
  • Braintree: MANG: 4 Front End Loaders
  • Chelsea: MANG: 1 Dump Truck
  • Cohasset: NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader; VT NG: 2 Dump Trucks
  • Essex: NY DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 3 Skid Steers, 3 Dump Trucks
  • Fall River: PA DOT: 8 Dump Trucks; MassDOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 1 Backhoe
  • Gloucester: MANG: 6 Front End Loaders, 6 Dump Trucks
  • Hanover: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader
  • Ipswich: MassDOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 2 Dump Trucks; NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader
  • Lawrence: NY DOT: 1 Bobcat, 1 Dump Truck
  • Leominster: MassDOT: 1 Backhoe, 1 Dump Truck; NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader; VT NG: 4 Dump Trucks
  • Lunenburg: Northern Tree: 2 Dump Trucks and 2 Front End Loaders
  • Malden: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader; NJ DOT: 1 Bobcat, NY DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 1 Dump Truck
  • Millville: MassDOT: 1 Front End Loader, 1 Dump Truck, 1 Wing Plow
  • Nahant: NJ DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 2 Dump Trucks
  • Newburyport: PA DOT: 1 Front End Loader, 5 Dump Trucks
  • Newton: NY DOT: 3 Front End Loaders, 3 Bobcats and 3 Dump Trucks
  • Norwell: NJ DOT: 4 Front End Loaders
  • Phillipston: MassDOT: 1 Grader with Wing Plow
  • Revere: NY DOT: 2 Front End Loaders, 1 Dump Truck
  • Salem: MANG: 1 front end loader, 3 dump trucks and 2 skid steers
  • Scituate: NY DOT: 2 Bobcats, 2 Dump Trucks
  • Somerville: NY DOT: 1 Front End Loader; NJ DOT: 6 Bobcats, 6 Dump Trucks; MassDOT: 2 FELs, 1 Dump Truck
  • Topsfield: MassDOT: 1 wing plow
  • West Boylston: DOT: 1 Backhoe
  • West Bridgewater: NY DOT: 1 Bobcat, 1 Dump Truck
  • Weymouth: NY DOT: 3 Bobcats, 3 Dump Trucks
  • Worcester: Northern Tree:  3 Front End Loaders and 11 Dump Trucks; NY State Thruway: 3 Front End Loaders and 4 Dump Trucks; PA DOT: 1 Backhoe, 3 Dump Trucks

 

Shoveling Missions:

MANG teams are deploying to the following communities today:

  • Ashland: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Attleboro: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Auburn: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Beverly: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Billerica: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Bridgewater: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Brockton: 4 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Dudley: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Easton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Gardner: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Hanover: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Holbrook: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Ipswich: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Leominster: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Lynnfield: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Malden: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Marshfield: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Medford: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Medway: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Mendon: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Middleton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Milton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Natick: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Newton: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Norton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Norwell: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Oxford: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Pembroke: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Sharon: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Shrewsbury: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Spencer: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Sterling: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Stoughton: 2 teams of 4 MANG troops
  • Taunton: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Topsfield: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Uxbridge: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • West Bridgewater: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Westford: 1 team of 4 MANG troops
  • Weymouth: 1 team of 4 MANG troops

 

Salt Missions:

MEMA continues to work with salt vendors to provide salt to the following communities:

  • Avon
  • Bridgewater
  • Bedford
  • Fitchburg
  • Leominister
  • Lunenburg
  • Princeton
  • Rehoboth
  • Sharon

 

MA National Guard Deployments

MA National Guard (MANG) teams continue to be deployed throughout the Commonwealth to support local public safety and public works personnel with critical public and life safety issues and enhancing critical services. These teams have been instructed to work with local officials to define specific missions. Examples of permissible missions include: digging out fire hydrants, opening storm drains and catch basins to prevent flooding, clearing snow from HVAC vents at public facilities and critical infrastructure, and ensuring access to critical infrastructure such as police and fire stations, pumping stations, and public facilities that provide necessary health and social services.  While cities and towns may have other snow removal needs, it is important that MANG teams first address these types of public and life safety missions across the Commonwealth before taking on secondary missions. Once these teams complete critical missions in a community, they will move on to other communities. MEMA and the MANG ask that communities that receive these teams work with them, and the soldiers, to assign missions that meet the specific criteria.

 

MassDOT / MBTA Update

 

Transit
General Conditions and Impacts
Due to weather-related Orange Line delays, Haverhill Line passengers are strongly encouraged to transfer to the Orange Line at North Station, not Malden Center.

The Commuter Rail will continue to operate on published weekday schedules on Friday, February 13. Some trains may be cancelled due to weather-related issues.

See line specific details below.
Service Conditions
Mode/Line Status
MBTA
▬ Blue Line The Blue Line will operate today, but with fewer cars and less frequent service.
▬ Orange Line The Orange Line will resume regular weekday service today, Friday, February 13. Customers should continue to anticipate weather-related delays in service.
▬ Red Line ·         Limited Red Line service will be available between Alewife and Ashmont Stations. Red Line trains will also resume on the Braintree branch to North Quincy Station with shuttle bus replacement of Red Line trains between North Quincy and Braintree Stations through Sunday, February 15. This means that Braintree branch subway service between North Quincy and Braintree Stations is replaced with shuttle buses through the end of service on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Customers are strongly encouraged to use Commuter Rail service that will stop at Braintree and Quincy Center.

·         Buses will replace service on the Mattapan Trolley Line from start to end of service on Friday, February 13.
▬ Green Line The Green Line will operate today, but with fewer cars and less frequent service.
▬ Silver Line Operating; delays possible due to road conditions.
▬ Bus All bus routes will operate a regular weekday schedule on Friday, February 13. Many bus routes will experience weather related delays and may operate on snow route.
▬ Commuter Rail The Commuter Rail will operate on published weekday schedules beginning at the start of service on Friday, February 13, 2015 with the exception of the following cancelled trips:

·         Providence Line 800

·         Franklin Line 702

·         Fairmount Line: 734/744

·         Stoughton Line: 901/902

·         Worcester Express: 582

·         Anderson/Woburn Line 351/352 & 355/356 & 357/358

·         Reading Line 259/260 & 263/264

·         Beverly 051/052 & 053/054
▬ Commuter Boat ·         Due to icing conditions at Hingham Shipyard, all Hingham vessel departures and arrivals on Friday, February 13, will operate between Hingham and Rowes Wharf exclusively.

·         Hull Ferry service to Hull, Logan Airport, and Long Wharf will operate as scheduled on Friday, February 13, but with no connections in Hingham. Connections to Hingham from Long Wharf, Logan Airport, and Hull are currently suspended and will resume when icing conditions improve.

·         Charlestown Ferry service will operate on a weekday schedule on Friday, February 13.
▬ The RIDE Operating; however delays and cancellations are likely; customers should check with the operator.
REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITIES
All Other No impacts reported
OTHER SERVICES
Concord Coach No impacts reported
Dartmouth Coach No impacts reported
Boston Express Bus Boston Express Bus is extending the suspension of “Commuter Loop” stops through next Friday, February 20, 2015.  Commuter loop trips will go directly to South Station.
Peter Pan Bus No impacts reported
Plymouth & Brockton No impacts reported
Amtrak No impacts reported
Logan Express No impacts reported
Steamship Authority No impacts reported

 

DCR Update

  • DCR employees will be training with MassDOT on the newly acquired snow melting machines today.
  • DCR and DEP are providing 64 traffic cones/delineators to supplemental State Staging Area ‘Springs’ with delivery around noon.
  • DCR is continuing snow removal operations at DCR facilities and roadways. Rehab and repairs are being done today in preparation for tomorrow’s storm.
  • DCR salt supplies remain low.
  • The Central MA Mosquito Control Project dump truck returned to Berlin to assist with snow removal today.
  • The NE Mass Mosquito Control Project’s dump truck returned to Amesbury to assist with snow removal today.

 

DEP Guidance on Snow Disposal in Open Waterways

Due to the extraordinary weather experienced by the Commonwealth in the past several weeks, municipalities throughout the Commonwealth are facing significant challenges in their efforts to clear, remove and dispose of historic accumulations of snow. MassDEP recognizes that cities and towns may need to undertake emergency measures to ensure protection of public safety.

 

As communities proceed with necessary emergency snow disposal, it is recommended you use the best management guidelines included in MassDEP’s Emergency Disposal Guidance (http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/regulations/snow-disposal-guidance.html), including:

 

  • Dispose of snow in open water with adequate flow and mixing to prevent ice dams from forming.
  • Do not dispose of snow in saltmarshes, vegetated wetlands, certified vernal pools, shellfish beds, mudflats, drinking water reservoirs and their tributaries, Zone IIs or IWPAs of public water supply wells, Outstanding Resource Waters, or Areas of Critical Environmental Concern.
  • Do not dispose of snow where trucks may cause shoreline damage or erosion.
  • Consult with the municipal Conservation Commission to ensure that snow disposal in open water complies with local ordinances and bylaws.

 

Communities that intend to dispose of snow in open water as outlined above must provide advance notification to DEP by calling (888) 304-1133. Communities must also consult with their Conservation Commission prior to disposing of snow in open water.

 

Stay Informed

Online Resources

For additional information and resources, visit:

 

 

 

Kurt Schwartz

Undersecretary, Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Director, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

508-820-2010 (Office)

508-820-2000 (24/7 Communications Center)

 

 

 

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Posted in State

BoS agenda for 2/17

Posted on February 13, 2015 | Comments Off on BoS agenda for 2/17

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
MEETING NOTICE

Tuesday February 17, 2015@ 7:00 PM

AGENDA (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

If necessary the Medfield Board of Selectmen needs to meet in Executive Session at close of meeting to discuss settlement agreement pertaining to Red Gate Farm

7:00 PM Presentation of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operation and Maintenance Award Superintendent Feeney, Chief Operator Robert MacDonald

7: 10 PM FYI 6 Budget review – Conservation

7:20 PM Russell Hallisey, Chair Medfield Day
Request Selectmen vote to grant MEMO permission to hold the
36’h Annual Medfield Day

ACTION

Superintendent Feeney requests the Selectmen vote to declare a Snow Emergency under MASS General Laws Chapter 44, Section 3 lD

Vote warrant articles for March 23, 2015 Special Town Meeting

Vote to close March 23, 2015 Special Town Meeting Warrant at close of Selectmen’ s meeting

Medfield Music Assoc. requests permission to post signs advertising two events, The Moxie Strings on March 19 and annual Jazz Night on Friday May 1

Town Counsel Mark Cerel requests the Selectmen vote to sign Red Gate Farm settlement agreement

2/11/2015 02/09/2015: Medfield, Mass. Wastewater Treatment Plant Recognized for Excellence

News Releases from Region 1

Medfield, Mass. Wastewater Treatment Plant Recognized for Excellence
Release Date: 02/09/2015
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017
BOSTON – The Medfield Wastewater Treatment Plant was recenUy selected by EPA for a 2014 Regional Wastewater

Treatment Plant Excellence Award.

The Medfield Wastewater Treatment Plant staff, led by Superintendent Robert McDonald, was recognized by EPA’s New England Office for exceptional work in operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant. The plant was one of five facilities in New England acknowledged for exemplary performance during 2014.

The professionals operating these wastewater treatment plants, as well as the municipalities and the state environmental agencies that support them, are essential to keeping our environment healthy by protecting water quality,. I am proud to give them the credit they deserve,n said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.

The EPA Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Excellence Award was established to recognize and honor the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for its commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance. More oflen than not, and particularly with the smaller facilities, conscientious operators and staff continue to perform exceptionally with limited resources.

The Medfield Wastewater Treatment Plant was acknowledged for its outstanding work at the annual New England Water EnvironmentAssociatior:i Conference in Boston, on Jan. 28. The MassachusEitts Department of Environmental Protection was instrumental in nominating this facility.

For more information: http://www.epa gov/neftopicslwaterfwwater.html and
htto:Jfwww.epa.gov/owmlmtb/intnet.htm

 

MEMO
Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization, Inc.
PO Box 6, Medfield, MA 02052
http://www.medfieldmen10.org

February 6, 2015

Board of Selectmen
459 Main Street
Medfield, MA 02052

Re: MEMO’s 2015 Discover Medfield Day (361h Year)

September 19th (September 26th severe weather postponement date)
Town Assistance I Land Use I Common Victualler’s License I Street Banner

Dear Selectmen:

The Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization, Inc. (MEMO) hereby requests the
Town of Medfield’s permission and assistance in holding MEMO’ s 361h Annual Discover
Medfield Day on Saturday, September 19, 2015. MEMO’s plans currently call for
essentially the same format, locations, hours, and layout as last year, including a 9:00 am
opening time and a 3:00 pm closing time.
MEMO hereby requests the Town’s permission to use Town-owned land at
Meetinghouse Pond area, and for a small amount of assistance in undertaking the
Discover Medfield Day events again this year. If your Board and the Town Departments
under your jurisdiction are willing to approve MEMO’s plans on the same basis as last
year, please indicate your consent by signing below and returning one copy to me.
I’m also enclosing herewith an application for a blanket Common Victualler’s License
and ask that you act on that application as well. In the past your Board has graciously
waived the $50.00 application fee. However, ifthe fee is required please let me know
and I’ll forward payment to you.
You’ll recall in years past Discover Medfield Day had to be postponed due to high winds
and/or heavy rain. Therefore, we’ve established a severe weather date on the following
Saturday. This request seeks the same permission and assistance requested above on
Saturday, September 261
\ in the event we decide that a severe weather postponement is
required. .
As a condition of your approval, MEMO agrees to provide the Town with a certificate of
insurance for Discover Medfield Day upon the same terms as last year.
Page 1 of2
Written permission is also being requested of private property owners Brook Run
Development Corp., the First Parish Meeting House, and Montrose School, which are
expected to give permission for the use of their downtown properties.
Request is also made to hang our banner announcing Discover Medfield Day across Main
Street at Baxter Park from August 151
h (the banner usually gets hung over a weekend)
through Discover Medfield Day.
Thank you for your courtesies and assistance.
Very truly yours,
/?· Rus~ MEMO’s Discover Medfield Day 2015 Chair
tel: 508-733-9995
APPROVED AND ASSENTED TO BY THE TOWN OF MEDFIELD:
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
By:
Osler Peterson, Chairman Date
Richard DeSorgher Date
Mark Fisher Date
Page 2 of2

KENNETH P. FEENEY
Superintendent
TO:Board of Selectmen
Warrant Committee
FROM:  Kenneth P. Feeney, Supt. ‘f!P:
DATE:   February 10, 2015
SUBJECT:
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
Office of SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

SNOW EMERGENCY

As of February 10, 2015 the balance in the Snow Budget is as follows:
Operations Balance: $37,014.52
Salary: -$25,951.05

I am requesting that both Warrant Committee & The Board of Selectmen vote on a Snow Emergency under Municipal Finance Chapter 44, Section 31D.

TOWN OF MEDFIELD
WARRANT FOR THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 23, 2015
On Monday, the twentieth-third day of March, A.D., 2015 commencing at 7:30
P .M. the following Articles will be acted on in the Amos Clark Kingsbury High
School gymnasium, located at 88R South Street in said Medfield, viz
Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money and
determine in what manner said sum shall be raised for the purpose of
constructing, equipping, furnishing and landscaping a Public Safety Building,
including associated parking and commuuications facilities and expenses
related to the temporary relocation of the police and fire departments and
provision of a parking lot for the staff of the Dale Street School, said building
to be located at the site of the present police and fire stations at the intersection
of North and Dale Streets, including all costs incidental or related thereto,
provided ·that the appropriations authorized under this article be contingent
upon approval of a so called Proposition 2 Y. debt exclusion, in accordance
with Chapter 59, Section 21C of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts, or do or act anything in relation thereto.
(Board of Selectmen and Permanent Planning and Building Committee)
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money and
determine in what manner said sum shall be raised, for the purp0se of
desiguing, constructing and equipping a solar photovoltaic array at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant, including any utility interconnect fees or charges,
including all costs incidental or related thereto, or do or act anything in relation
thereto.
(Water and Sewerage Board and Medfield Energy Committee)
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof,
in the usual place for posting warrants in said Medfield, fourteen days at least
before the time of holding said Special Town Meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon,
unto the Town Clerk at the time and place of the Town Meeting aforesaid.
Given unto our hands this day of February, Two-Thousand and
Fifteen.
Osler L. Peterson, Chairman Si __________ _
Richard P. DeSorgher Si ____________ _
Mark L. Fisher Si ______________ _
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
By virtue of this Warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the
Town of Medfield, qualified to vote in elections and at town meetings, by
posting attested copies of the same at five public places, fourteen days before
the date of the elections, as within directed.
Constable: Si ————-

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Posted in Select Board matters

MFi volunteer awards

Posted on February 12, 2015 | 1 comment

The Medfield Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2015 Medfield Foundation Volunteer Awards will honor the following extraordinary individuals for their remarkable volunteer services in the Town of Medfield:

Youth volunteers

  • Binit Shah Primarily for creating the Tech Club at the Medfield Memorial Library, and also for volunteering for Medfield.TV and Medfield Foundation Youth Leadership.

Binit Shah

  • Emily Zona Primarily for being a Peer Tutor at Blake Middle School, and also for volunteering at St. Edwards, the Thomas Upham House, at MHS on the Student Council as its VP and on the assistant principal search committee, and tutoring Spanish at the Medfield Memorial Library.

emily zona

Volunteers

  • Chris McCue Potts Primarily for work with the Medfield Music Association, and also with the Zullo Gallery.
  • Susan Maritan Primarily for her work with the Medfield Coalition for Public Education, and also the Garden Club, the Medfield Food Cupboard, the Angel Run, New Life Home Refurnishing, and the Wheelock Victory Garden.
  • Rose O’Reilly Primarily for many years of work with the schools in many forms, including the Fashion Show, the All Night Graduation Party, the Snack Shack, and initiating the Prom Bus, the Medfield Coalition for Public Education, New Life Home Furnishing, and also with Cradles to Crayons.

Lifetime achievement

  • Jeanne Bastanier Sullivan Primarily for her work with the Medfield Food Cupboard, and also with the Medfield Coalition for Public Education, the schools at all grade levels, the Animal Shelter, the Church of the Advent, and the All Night Graduation Party.

Special Recognition

Binit Shah is the 2015 Medfield Foundation Youth Volunteer of the Year.

Chris McCue Potts is the 2015 Medfield Foundation Volunteer of the Year.

Jeanne Bastanier Sullivan receives the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award.

All these extraordinary volunteers will be celebrated and feted at a reception to be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 22 at The Center on Ice House Road, Medfield, to which the public is invited.

The reception is sponsored by the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation.

1 Comment

Posted in Medfield Foundation, Teens, Volunteers

New state-municipal partnership

Posted on February 11, 2015 | Comments Off on New state-municipal partnership

Letter today from the new Lt. Gov. –

February 9, 2015
Dear Municipal Leaders,
As the Baker-Polito Administration’s liaison to local officials, I am excited to write to you about some early actions our Administration has taken to support municipalities and local officials. On our first day in office, we released $100 million in Chapter 90 funds, for a total $300 million annual commitment to local roads and bridges. Second, Governor Baker signed his first ExecutiveOrder creating a Community Compact Cabinet (Cabinet) during the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Annual Meeting. Third, the Baker-Polito Administration elevated the Division of Local Services within the Department of Revenue, and we’re thrilled that your colleague, Brookline Deputy Town Administrator Sean Cronin, has agreed to become Senior Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Local Services.
As chair of the Cabinet, I will champion local government issues throughout the Administration and will work with you to create a true partnership between the state and cities and towns. Together,we will work to identify best practices and innovations that provide better, more effectivegovernment both at the local and state level. The Baker-Polito Administration will use the Cabinet to bring together the relevant high-level state officials to develop and execute our commi
tments to municipalities. One task I will highlight is that we are working to identify unfunded mandates, onerous regulations, and bottlenecks in state government that inhibit the success of your cities and towns. In March, the Division of Local Serviceswill circulate a survey to seek your input.
To hear directly from local leaders, I’ve already started a statewide tour to meet with municipal officials and I hope to be able to connect with you soon. I am eager to hear your ideas about how we can help y
ou grow the economy, provide a quality education for every child, and responsibly manage your community’s budget.
I have attached a summary of the Executive Order, and I look forward to working with you to create a great Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
Karyn E. Polito
Lieutenant Governor
 Elevating the Municipal Partnership
Baker-Polito Administration
The Baker-Polito team is committed to elevating its partnership with Massachusetts cities and towns. The Administration’s first act was to release $100 million in new Chapter 90 funding for local roads and bridges. In addition, we have pledged to hold harmless local aid accounts as we deal with a $765 million budget gap in FY15, and
we will increase local aid in a way that tracks state revenue growth.
Both Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito served as selectmen and
intimately understand the challenges facing municipalities.  Therefore, today we are elevating municipal concerns directly into the Governor’s Office.
Via Executive Order, we are empowering Lt. Governor Polito to be a champion for municipal issues across state government; we
are restructuring the Department of Revenue to include a new Senior Commissioner for the Division of Local Services, reporting directly to the Commissioner; and we are creating a Community Compact Cabinet that will work toward mutual accountability, work to reduce red tape, promote best practices, and develop specific “community compacts” with local governments. Community compacts will create clear, mutual standards, expectations, and accountability for both the state and municipalities as we seek to create better government for our citizens.
Executive Order 537
The Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet
September 2011
Leadership:
Agency: Exec. Office of Admin. & Finance
Chair: The Deputy Commissioner for Local Services; Department of Revenue

 

Membership:
State Purchasing Agent
State Chief Information Officer
Commissioner of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance
Executive Director of the Group Insurance Commission
Personnel Administrator
Chairman of the Civil Service Commission
Any member of the Governor’s Cabinet or their designee and any other person whom the Secretary of ANF may designate
Charge:

1.to implement policies and coordinate activities throughout the executive branch that are designated to enhance the partnerships between local and state government;

2. to assess ways in which state government may provide assistance to local government in the provision of services, including, but not limited to, technology, procurement, construction, employee benefits and other areas where the assets of state government may be utilized to assist local governments;
3. to assist in the interpretation and implementation of the various municipal partnership bills signed into law over the past five years in order to assist cities and towns in reducing costs, streamlining operations and generating revenue
New Executive Order
The Community Compact Cabinet
January 2015
Leadership:
Agency: Office of the Governor
Chair: Lieutenant Governor
Vice Chair: The Senior Deputy Commissioner, Division of Local Services; DOR
Membership:
Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
Secretary of the Executive Office of Education
Secretary of Transportation
Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Assistant Secretary for Operational Services
Chief Information Officer
Any other person whom the Lieutenant Governor
may designate from time to time.
Charge:
1. to champion municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies;
2. to develop, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards of best practices for both the state and municipalities, working toward the creation of community compacts that will create clear standards, expectations and accountability for both partners;
3. to develop ideas to incentivize adoption of best practices at the municipal and school district level;
4. to work with the Local Government Advisory Commission (the “LGAC”) to resolve issues and implement recommendations made by the LGAC and approved by the Governor;
5. to review state regulatory burdens on municipalities and school districts and recommend reforms to lessen the burdens on municipalities and school districts;
6. to understand the major cost drivers of municipalities and school districts and identify actions that the Commonwealth, municipalities
and school districts can take to control them;
7. to identify and remove barriers to economic development opportunities for cities and towns; and
8. to empower cities and towns and school districts by finding new ways for them to leverage state resources and capacity Leadership
Membership Charge

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Posted in Budgets, State

Salt on the horizon

Posted on February 10, 2015 | Comments Off on Salt on the horizon

Representative Denise Garlick just called me (to get Mike Sullivan’s cell number), so she could tell him what she had learned from spending the day chasing down salt for the Town of Medfield.  Thank you Denise!

Morton Salt does have salt, but no trucks with which to deliver, so she will suggest to Mike to have Medfield trucks go there to pick up.  Alternately, she suggested that Needham and other towns are getting their salt from Eastern Mineral, and that Needham or another town might be willing and able to order a truck load of salt from Eastern Mineral for Medfield, if our trucks went to pick it up.

Looks like we will be back in the salt soon.

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Posted in DPW

Kudos to the DPW

Posted on February 10, 2015 | Comments Off on Kudos to the DPW

I just got copied on this email –

great job!

Hi Mr. Feeney,

Just wanted to say thank you and kudos for a very well job done over the past three weeks!  As an “essential” employee I have had no trouble getting to and home from work during all of these storms and I know how that is not an easy thing to say. I really just wanted to say thank you to you and your department!

~ Sue

Sue Newark

58 Granite St

 

Suzanne M. Newark
Office Manager
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant
4 Municipal Way

Wellesley MA 02481
781-489-7766

Think Green…please don’t print this e-mail unless you really need to When responding, please be advised that the Town of Wellesley and the Massachusetts Secretary of State have determined that email could be considered a public record.

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Posted in DPW

Straw Hat Park

Posted on February 10, 2015 | Comments Off on Straw Hat Park

Attached below is the landscaping plan for the proposed new Straw Hat Park.  Jean Mineo of the friends of the Straw Hat Park, a Medfield Foundation initiative, reported to the Medfield Foundation board at its meeting last night that her group is looking:

  • for $70,000 of funds from the annual town meeting this April; and
  • to fund raise $24,000 for extras and special features planned for the new park, such as the fountain.

Construction will begin in August if monies are appropriated at the annual town meeting.  The really interesting extras will be included if sufficient funds are raised to allow for them.  Interested supporters can reach Jean at 242-9991.

Monique Allen of The Garden Continuum donated the design services, and Jean continues to donate countless hours to making Medfield more interesting – Jean was behind the Art Boxes that now decorate the traffic control boxes around town and the Thistle project coming this May to decorate forty trees at the Medfield State Hospital.

1-29-15_rendering_-_straw_hat_park_(2)

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Posted in Downtown, Medfield Foundation, Nature, Open space